Glo-CAF Awards - Ahly Coach Thrilled

Glo-CAF Awards Coach of the Year nominee, Jose Manuel has described his nomination as an honour that has come at the right time. Manuel, the Portuguese-born coach of African Club Champions, Al Ahly of Egypt spoke in his office at the expansive and prestigious Al Ahly Club in Cairo, noting that his nomination and that of his player, Mohamed Barakat for the Inter-Club Player of the Year are well deserved in a year the club set an unbeaten match record.

Apparently still basking in the excitement of his nomination announced in November 2005, Manuel chose not to make use of his interpreter on this occasion. In his passable English, the very pleasant coach remarked, “I am delighted by this recognition in a foreign land. I believe I deserved the award, but even if I don’t get to win it, I am satisfied that my achievements have been noticed. It is great that my player, Barakat is also mentioned for honour… it is indeed a great year for Ahly which is the best and biggest club in Africa”.

Manuel commended the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Globacom for their effort in promoting African football through the awards. “The award is an encouragement to players, coaches and everyone who gets recognised. It is good that CAF is organising it and I know it will continue to make the coaches do better”

Manuel led the Egyptian Club to their first African title in four years and in the process, the club went a record of over 50 matches unbeaten. Ahly also won the Egyptian League as well as representing Africa at the FIFA World Club Championship in Japan last December.

Nigerian-born Stephen Keshi, the National Coach of World Cup debutants, Togo and Mohamed Fakhir, who led ASFAR of Morocco to win the Confederations Cup are the two other nominees for the Glo-CAF Awards Coach of the Year. Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’O, Ghana’s Michael Essien and Diddier Drogba of Ivory Coast are contending for the prestigious Glo-CAF Footballer of the Year award. The ceremonies will hold at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on February 16. 

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